Mayon Volcano spews ash, may lead to eruption

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) raised Mayon volcano’s alert level to 3 after recording a series of small ash explosions and at around 6PM lava started flowing out of the crater.

The mandatory evacuation of about 9,900 families at the 6-8 kilometer danger zone around the volcano began after the development. Under the volcano’s alert levels, level 3 means “increased tendency towards eruption,” and if unrest increases, hazardous eruption is possible within weeks. Level 4 means hazardous eruption is imminent or possible within days while a level 5 means hazardous eruption is ongoing.